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Safari Fun

What I saw on the Serengeti and Ngoragora:

• elephants
• giraffes
• gazelles
• jackals
• lions and cubs
• warthogs
• hippopotamus
• crocodiles
• zebras
• buffalo
• cheetah
• leopard
• ostrich
• marmoset
• flamingo
• fox
• hyena
• snakes
• baboons
• monkeys
• and many more
  

There were many highlights of the trip but here are some of the coolest events that happened:

• On the first day there was a lioness with five baby cubs. The cubs were really small and adorable. They all walked right in front of our jeep and then right next to our car. They were less than five feet away from us. No big deal! It was crazy cool but it gets better. So then the lion spotted a Pumba warthog. The lion quietly snuck up on the warthog and then just like on Animal Planet she chased him down. When she was chasing it, it did a U-turn and ran back toward us. She then pounced on it and killed it. Now don’t be sad, it’s the circle of life.
• One morning I woke up and was brushing my teeth by my tent. I looked up and there was a giraffe standing directly behind my tent. It was just chillin, eating from a tree. They are the most gorgeous, graceful animals and I just felt lucky.
• We saw a king lion from 10 feet away. Babba (our guide) drove up onto the grass, opened the door and slammed it to wake him up. The lion sat up and starred right at us with these huge yellow eyes. It was seriously amazing. I have got to say that I was just a little bit scared that he might charge the jeep and eat us. I guess that would have been a great story to tell. Being eaten is always a good crowd pleaser.
• One morning we woke up and learned that the night before there had been a lion and a hyena in our camp the night before. The guides told us that is normal and happens all the time but hello, it freaked me out.
• I loved when we saw a herd of elephants. There was about fifteen of them hanging out and playing together. The young ones were playing and messing around. They were joining their trunks and clashing their tusks together. It was really fun to watch elephants play and mess around.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears... Oh My!

I’m the luckiest girl alive. I really am. Last week we went on an African Safari. We started out with our guides from Arusha on Tuesday morning. The people on the journey were Jackie Skinner, Ashley, Corbin, Amber, Heidi, Trent, Jeff, Stephanie, and me. We also had two guides named Babba and Estephano, and two cooks named Daniel and Fostien. The first day we drove to the Serengeti. When we got into the park we immediately started to see animals of all kinds. We looked for animals all afternoon. On our way through the Serengeti we stopped at a Messai village. The group of Messai people in the Serengeti are one of the few groups of truly nomadic people left in the world. It was seriously amazing and straight National Geographic style. When we entered the small village the people did a welcome dance for us and then let us join in. The boys did this jumping thing in the middle of a circle. The girls got to wear the cool circle bead necklaces and bounce them on our necks. I was holding hands with a Messai woman while everyone danced and sang. The Messai people took each one of us into their little huts and talked to us. Trent and I went into a hut together and sat on their little cow hide beds. Their huts are really hot and dark inside. The Messai man who’s home it was talked to us about how they hunt, cook, eat, and live. It was interesting and intriguing to me how they live. I bought a couple of bracelets from the village and then talked with the people. We left the village in the afternoon then went to the campsite to set up camp. We set up tents and they made us dinner. It is funny because they don’t eat the way we do when were camping. No tin foil dinners for Africans. We had the most delicious meals that weren’t necessarily easy to make while camping. The group of people ended up sitting in a tent and telling each other ghost stories. On Wednesday we got up and went all over the Serengeti all morning. We came back and had lunch and an afternoon break then we took off to finish off the day finding animals. That night we had a camp fire and chatted with our guides and each other. On Thursday, we packed up camp and traveled back through the Serengeti to the Ngoragora Crater. The Ngoragora Crater used to be a volcano that would erupt from the sides instead of the top. Over time, all the pressure from the lava coming out the sides caused it to collapse. It is now a huge crater that has plenty of grasslands and water. That means it is a perfect place for all kinds of animals. When we got to the crater on Thursday we set up camp and tried to get warm because it was FREEZING. On Friday morning we got up really early while it was still dark and so foggy you couldn’t see what was directly in front of you. We drove down into the crater. You drive around until you get to this lake at the bottom of the crater. When you get close to the lake, there are literally thousands of animals, all in on locations. The lake is covered with thousands of flamingos and from afar it looks like the lake is pink. There are then zebras, gazelle, water buffalo, hyena, birds, foxes, and more. It was pretty incredible and felt like we were in the Lion King when they sing the Circle of Life. It was great! Not only is the crater full of animals but it has beautiful scenery. As we drove out of the crater I was able to look out over the entire land and it was indescribable. When we got back to camp we ate lunch, packed up, and headed back to Arusha where we spent the night before flying back to Uganda. The nine people that went couldn’t have been more perfect. They are all hilarious and entertaining people and we had a blast together. We laughed a lot, sang Lion King songs continuously, and enjoyed each others company all week. Our guides Babba and Estephano were also really fun and full of information. They made the trip much more enjoyable. What an amazing week!

Tanzania Adventures!

Hello from Tanzania! A group of about 8 of the volunteers planned a trip to go to Tanzania for a week while we are here and I just couldn't be left out! We left on Saturday and flew from Uganda to Tanzania. We ended up getting to the hostel pretty late so we found a place to eat that was absolutely delicious before we went back to go to bed. We went to dinner at a place called McMoody's and it was divine. If any of you went there today you probably would be less than impressed but we crave normal food here. They had shakes, burgers, fries, pizza, the whole deal. I have decided not to eat any meat while in Africa because it scares me but I still found delicious choices. On Sunday we slept in and then went to a fabulous fruit market and had the tastiest apple of my life! We also went to a market that had crafts and traditional handmade stuff. I was all about the jewelry. I got a ton of earrings, bracelets, etc. I also got a hand carved nativity made of ebony wood. BEAUTIFUL!! Bartering here is a ton of fun and you can get some great deals if you are tricky enough, you can also get ripped off if you aren't. We then went to this weird snake park and they had snakes and crocodiles found in Tanzania. It was creepy. We also went to a little craft village of the Messai people. It was crazy cool to see some traditional meesai people in their clothing and jewelry. We have spent most of our night chilling at the hostel which is a lot of fun because I have been able to meet some super interesting people. They are all really free spirited, granola, hippy types and I find it a fun new experience. Today we rented a bus and drove to the mountains at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. We went hiking around the base of Kilo to a super sweet waterfall. It wasn't a hard hike but it was raining the whole time and I have never been in a muddier situation in my life. We were basically sliding down the mountain. We were hiking through villages and the people thought it was hilarious. I obviously fell a ton, and 4 time I was actually on my butt on the ground. It was awesome! We looked ridiculous and it was extremely cold but it was amazing! I have been in some beautiful places in my life but I have honestly never seen anything like this. We weren't able to see the top of Kilo until later in the evening when the clouds had cleared up but it was pretty dang amazing. I feel like I ask myself everyday, "Who does this? Who gets these experiences in their life?" I am so blessed and having a blast! Tomorrow we leave for a four day safari and I can't wait. I will take tons of pictures. I have to post this one picture less as well because I am at the hostel Internet and have no camera cord or any pictures however when I get back to Lugazi, Uganda next week I will have an all picture post I swear! Peace out for now!

Happy 21st DJ!

This sparkling child is 21 today! What better way to celebrate than African style! I sure do love my fantastic brother and am happy to tell you that so do the people of Lugazi! Of course, who wouldn't!

This picture was taken on one of the crazy hikes we went on to the waterfalls. We are sweaty.

Disaster Child

I'm actually here! I am now officially living in Lugazi, Uganda! It is beautiful, wonderful, fun, heartbreaking, eye-opening, exciting, and much more! The people here are so amazing and giving. They have very little and they would still give you everything they can. It gives me inspiration for the kind of person I want to be. I feel like I was able to jump right into the projects and work they are doing here because of my knowledge as a teacher. That has been really nice and I am really exciting about the projects I will be working on. I also have the worst luck while traveling! I have already had some crazy events happen. When we arrived in Lugazi on Thursday my luggage did not arrive with me. None of it. So I had to mooch clothes, hygiene items, food, and everything else off the other volunteers here! The outfit combinations I ended up with were highly entertaining. I did not receive my luggage until yesterday (Monday). It was a crazy couple of days and I have never been so grateful for underwear. I now own two pair of underwear purchased in Uganda and I'm pretty excited about it! This weekend we went to Mount Elgon which is an area in the mountains here where there are beautiful waterfalls and great hikes. We stayed in the most amazing bungalow resort. It was out of this world! I couldn't believe how nice it was and it felt like paradise. The hikes we went on were pretty intense and on the first day a terential downpour happened while we were hiking. It was crazy! On one of the hikes I ended up falling (imagine that) and bashing my knee on a rock. It got really swollen and filled with water. I think I probably bruised the bone and for a few days it hurt really bad. It is feeling tons better today but I am hoping that is my injury for the trip, you never know with me though! Everyone here already thinks I am a disaster child! :) This has to be a fast post and pictures will come another day!

Quotes #2

***Warning: This is a serious post. They're a rare occasion, but they do happen. Don't be shocked.****

One of the things that the directors at HELP International tell you as you get ready to go to country is that you need to be the best person you can be before you go. If you do that then you will grow even more while you are there. I have been thinking about that a lot lately and trying to implement it into my preparation. This quote was in my "Quote Book" and really inspired me in this quest to become the best Lindsi I can be.

"Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger."
-Christian D. Larsen

UGANDA!!

So life is changing for Lindsi Marie Sullivan and I thought I would share with you all what's up. For those who don't know, in 4 days (WHAT?!!) I am going to Uganda, Africa!!!! I leave on June 10th and will be coming back here on July 23rd. It's a little more than 6 weeks! I seriously cannot wait! I am going with an organization called HELP International. The whole purpose of the trip and the organization is to help with developing third world countries like Africa. I feel very strongly about this cause and am becoming a developement nut. I just really believe in what people are trying to do and the difference that can be made throught the hands of a person. My little brother and sister, DJ and Katie, will be going as well. I feel kind of bad for my mom because she is sending three of her children out of the country! She's tough though. One of my best buds Jackie is already there because she is the country director. Her blog is super fun to read and kind of gives a glimpse as to what life is like there. Click here to check out her blog. I have borrowed (stolen) a few pictures from fellow HELP volunteers in Africa to help you all get excited for what is in store for my blog. Be prepared and keep your eyes posted for some good African fun to follow!

I'm Off the Sauce

It's been 4 days... Oh the headaches!

My Friend President Bush

Last Wednesday I was able to be in the presence President George W. Bush. It was one of those moments where you think to yourself, "This is so random!" My best friend Kim was invited to be on the guest list by one of her good friends. I therefore was able to pull the best friend card and tag along. Thanks Kim! :) It was one of the most entertaining events of my life. The people there had paid anywhere from $500.00 to $10,000 dollars. I was one of the $10,000 dollar paying VIPS. Okay really, I was there for free!!! There was gross fancy food, fancy glasses for drinking, rich people, famous politicians and President Bush spoke for a good 30 minutes. My personal favorite part was getting on the news afterwards! Kim and I were able to get 3 seconds of fame! It felt good. Kim was composed and well spoken in her interview and I was awkward and nervous. The camera scared me. If you read Kim's blog most of the following pictures are repeats but here are some qualities photos of the Commander-in-Chief himself.

This me and President Bush. I know it doesn't look like it but he totally posed with me for this.

This was as close as we got to him but I still felt cool. I could have climbed over chairs like some of the other women did to get to him however, I have an image to uphold. :)

She's a good best friend to have...Best Friend Perks.